The West Hawai‘i Fund advisory committee, made up of local volunteers, awarded $63,375 to 16 organizations that contribute in diverse ways to improving the quality of life for residents in West Hawai‘i.

The West Hawai‘i Fund was established in 1990 to provide a stronger link between charitable donors and the specific needs of West Hawai‘i communities from Kohala to Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Through the years, local citizens have created additional funds that are also distributed by the West Hawai’i Fund advisory committee including the Hartwell and Rebecca Carter Fund, the Robert C. and Helen F. Nichols Fund, the Arthur Mullaly Fund, and the Oscar and Ernestine Armstrong Fund.

Organizations receiving grants from these five funds include:

Friends for Fitness received $3,500 to provide much needed repair for the 1-mile long walking, jogging Makaeo Walking Path.

Habitat for Humanity received $5,000 in support of a specialized home repair and renovation program for Veterans currently living in sub-standard housing in West Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i Forest Institute received $7,000 for their Aupaka o Wao Lama Forest Education Program to restore endangered dryland habitat and share its historical, cultural and scientific aspects with the West Hawai‘i Community.

Hawai‘i Learning Resource received $4,000 for their Summer Academic Enrichment Camps that will provide students with a fun, hands-on learning experience designed to inspire joy in learning for students with learning differences.

Holualoa Foundation for Arts received $4,000 for the creation of a multi-use performing arts and intimate concert area within the current Donkey Mills Art Center.

Hospice of Kona received $4,000 in support of their Patient Support Nakamaru Hale, their 5-bed residential care home.

Innovations Public Charter School Foundation received $5,000 for their Planting Wellness with Our Keiki program that provides healthy mini meals for aftercare students incorporating healthy food education, environmental stewardship and physical activity.

Ka Moku o Keawe Makahiki received $3,000 to engage a broad range of schools and community groups, utilizing Hawaiian Makahiki cultural practice and championship games to strengthen families around physical education, health, fitness and honest competition.

Kona Adult Day Center, Inc. received $4,000 for their Adult Day Care program which provides social and recreational programs and activities for impaired adults and respite for their families and caregivers.

Kona Hospital Foundation received $6,000 for their Panda Baby Warmer Project that will provide options for medical staff to administer safe, effective airway management of any life-threatening situations for infants.

Kona Pacific Public Charter School received $4,000 in support of their Supplemental Nutrition Program that provides breakfast and afterschool snacks and subsidizes lunch for students of disadvantaged families.

Miloli‘i Emergency Response Team received $3,000 for their Emergency Response Team to acquire the necessary equipment and supplies to support their community in the event of an emergency.

Moku O Kohala Royal Order of Kamehameha received $2,000 in support of the Hale Mua Cultural Group who will repair rock walls surrounding the Kamehameha Birth site monument that were damaged during the earthquake of 2006.

PATCH (People Attentive to Children) received $4,750 to provide training and technical support to early childcare providers in West Hawai’i.

Pukoa Kani Aina Community Development Corporation received $2,000 for their I-3 (Investment, Interdependence, and Impact) program that helps Native Hawaiian non-profits achieve their mission and become high impact organizations.

Waikoloa Dry Forest Institute received $2,305 for construction of an outhouse facility, four picnic benches for visitors, and a hand-washing station and sink to be located at the 275 acre dry forest restoration project in Waikoloa Village.

About the Hawai‘i Community Foundation

With 96 years of community service, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation is the leading philanthropic institution in the state. The Foundation is a steward of more than 600 funds, including more than 170 scholarship funds, created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. In 2011, more than $44 million in grants and contracts were distributed statewide. The Foundation also serves as a resource on community issues and trends in the nonprofit sector.

The East Hawai‘i Fund Advisory Committee, made up of local volunteers, awarded $17,000 from the East Hawai‘i Fund and the Fred Yokoyama Fund. These two funds aim to benefit the people and communities of East Hawai‘i, from Waipi‘o to Waiohinu.

With the help of KTA Superstores, the estate of Frederick Yokoyama and a group of local citizens, the East Hawai‘i Fund was established to provide a stronger link between charitable donors and the specific needs of East Hawai‘i. This regional fund will continue to grow through contributions, bequests and planned gifts from donors who want to respond to current and emerging community needs. The Fred Yokoyama Fund was created in 2010 to give back to the community where Mr. Yokoyama made his home and owned several successful businesses. Both the East Hawai‘i Fund and the Fred Yokoyama Fund are component funds of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, a statewide, publicly supported grantmaking foundation.

Organizations receiving grants from these two funds included:

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai’i received $3,000 to support two school-based programs in addition to community-based matches of Bigs (mentor) and Littles (child) in East Hawai’i.

Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawai‘i received $2,000 to provide enhancement support (tutoring, summer school and intersession program fees, Winners Camp, sport fees and equipment) for children who have been abused or neglected.

Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i received $2,000 for their after school program to be offered in Honoka‘a.

Hilo United Methodist Church received $2,000 for the Peanut Butter Ministry which serves dinner twice weekly to men, women and children in Hilo.

PATCH (People Attentive to Children) received $3,000 to provide training and technical support to early childhood care providers in East Hawai‘i.

Special Olympics Hawai‘i received $3,000 for their Young Athlete Program for preschool children ages 2-5 as an introduction for new families to the resources and support available within Special Olympics.

The Arc of Hilo received $2,000 for their new Teens in Transition employment program aimed at assisting East Hawai‘i teens with special needs to develop necessary job skills and retain employment.

About Hawai`i Community Foundation

With 96 years of community service, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation is the leading philanthropic institution in the state. The Foundation is a steward of more than 600 funds, including more than 170 scholarship funds, created by donors who desire to transform lives and improve communities. In 2011, more than $44 million in grants and contracts were distributed statewide. The Foundation also serves as a resource on community issues and trends in the nonprofit sector.